2007 CADILLAC XLR engine coolant

A low coolant level should be indicated by a LOW
COOLANT message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). If it is, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If
you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fan
is running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, your vehicle
needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 390for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
392

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at the FULL
COLD mark on the front of the coolant surge
tank, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge
tank, but be sure the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before
you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on page 385
for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
393

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on
hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
394

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower,
add more of the proper mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level stabilizes at the FULL
COLD mark on the coolant surge tank.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
cap is hand-tight and fully seated.If the LOW COOLANT message does not appear
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) after
two minutes, the coolant is at the proper ll level.
If a LOW COOLANT message does appear,
repeat Steps 1 through 3 then reinstall the
pressure cap, or see your dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 374for
reservoir location.
396

Adding Washer Fluid
The LOW WASHER FLUID message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the uid is low.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 374
for reservoir location.Notice:When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
398

MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
CHANGE OIL NOW message comes on within
10 months since the vehicle was purchased
or MaintenanceIIwas performed.MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the
previous service performed was MaintenanceI.
Always use MaintenanceIIwhenever the message
comes on 10 months or more since the last
service or if the message has not come on at all
for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 377. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 380.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (a).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 382.See footnote (h).•
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. If you have the 4.4L
V8 supercharged engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (b).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (c).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (d).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (e).•
466

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)A uid loss in any vehicle system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid
if needed.
(b)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or
cracking. Replace wiper blades that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.
(c)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also
look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(d)Lubricate the trunk key lock cylinder. Lubricate
all body door hinges. Lubricate all hinges and
latches, including those for the hood, trunk,
console door, and any folding seat hardware. More
frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment. Applyingsilicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth
will make them last longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak.
(e)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
the lter may require replacement more often.
(f)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as high performance operation.
(g)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system.
This service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 385 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
469

(h)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(j)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
(k)Drain, ush, and rell intercooler system. This
service can be complex; you should have your
dealer perform this service. See Engine Coolant on
page 385 for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
pressure cap and ller neck. Pressure test
the system and pressure cap.
(l)For supercharged engines only: Have your
dealer check the supercharger oil level and add
the proper supercharger oil as needed (or every
36 months, whichever occurs rst). See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 473.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help ensure
the safety, dependability, and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Your GM
Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with these
checks and services.Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 473.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks
at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 377for
further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure
to keep your engine oil at the proper level
can cause damage to your engine not covered
by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. See
Engine Coolant on page 385for further details.
470